Plans to enhance Glasgow school sporting campus submitted to council

The Glasgow Academy has proposed plans to enhance its Anniesland Sporting Campus, located to the west of Anniesland Cross, with the development expected to cost £12million. 

The proposals consider three areas within the independent school's campus - Windyedge, School Ground and New Anniesland - and aim to improve teaching, sports and social facilities for pupils and the wider community. 

Earlier this year, The Glasgow Academy hosted a two-stage community consultation to share information about proposals with the public with more than 120 people attending across the two events. 

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Around 67% of attendees agreed the campus needs modernisation, with feedback being used to refine the final masterplan as led by architect firm Sheppard Robson. 

At School Ground, two state-of-the-art 4G rugby pitches and one 4G hickey pitch are proposed along with the refurbishment and extension of the clubhouse building to create modernised changing rooms and social spaces. 

The improved quality of the pitches and floodlighting will lengthen the time pitches can be played on, particularly throughout winter. 

At upper Windyedge, plans aim to develop three existing tennis courts along with a short pile seven-aside hockey pitch and replace the clubhouse facilities to create modern changing areas and shower rooms. 

The Glasgow Academy - Anniesland Sporting Campus - Proposed site layout (Image: Supplied)

New teaching facilities will also enable pupils to take lessons on-site, reducing the number of car and bus journeys made to the Kelvinbridge campus. 

The current water-based hockey pitch will be retained and lining for six tennis courts provided, allowing for multi-sport use.

Although the new offering will primarily be used by pupils, local community groups, sports clubs and schools will be invited to enjoy the campus throughout the year.

More planting around pitches and within green spaces has been included to improve biodiversity and dedicated car parking spaces, including an accessible parking and drop-off zone, are incorporated into the design to help reduce on-street parking.

The plans will be enabled through the potential sale of the current Lower Windyedge site which could further enhance the local community with the provision for much-needed new homes.

Gavin Halliday, chief operating officer at The Glasgow Academy, said: "The Glasgow Academy has a long sporting history to be proud of, however, we are acutely aware that the facilities at our Anniesland campus require investment and upgrading.

"Over the last 18 months, we have worked closely with a trusted project team to develop a masterplan that will futureproof the campus and enhance our reputation as a world-class sporting destination.

"The Glasgow Academy equally prides itself on being a community partner, with many local groups and sports clubs already using our facilities.

"Under plans, we can extend this and welcome more people to our community.

"Submitting a planning application to Glasgow City Council represents an important milestone in the project and we await determination to bring our vision to life in due course."

If the plans are approved, the campus will be re-developed over a phased period so construction work has no impact on sports training schedules or academic studies for pupils.